Proposed MOS and CAO changes for Class D CTA around Bankstown (CD 2611OS)

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport will open in the second half of 2026.

From 9 July 2026, to support the opening of this airport, major changes are being made to the airspace in the Sydney basin, predominantly:

• introduction of Class C airspace for Western Sydney International
• introduction of new Class D control areas (CTA), under Class C CTA, surrounding the amended Bankstown (YSBK) control zone (CTR)
• amended VFR routes in the Class D CTA, enabling aircraft access to and from YSBK.

The airspace relevant to this consultation is the new Class D CTA surrounding the amended YSBK CTR, which contains most of the VFR routes.

The safety of the new airspace and VFR route structure requires transponder usage by VFR flights within these new Class D CTAs.

This consultation sought feedback on whether the proposed  amendments to the Part 91, 131, 133 and 135 Manuals of Standards (MOS), and Civil Aviation Orders (CAO) 95.4, 95.10, 95.12, 95.12.1, 95.32 and 95.55, clearly implement these new VFR aircraft transponder requirements.

About this consultation
The consultation was open from 3 June 2026 to 17 June 2026.

A separate question addressed each MOS and CAO amendment. The questions asked whether, for the respondent's operation, the proposed MOS or CAO amendment clearly required transponder fitment for flight in the new Class D CTAs surrounding YSBK.

The consultation also sought input on proposed guidance material intended to improve the Part 91 Acceptable Means of Compliance/Guidance Material (AMC/GM) for regulation 91.240 of CASR, specifically regarding flight notification requirements.

Five responses were received.

Two of the responses were from pilots, the remaining responses were from organisations.

Three of the five responses did not consent to publication of their responses.

Two respondents answered all the questions, with one providing negative responses and the other providing positive responses.

One respondent answered only the two questions relevant to its operations.

One respondent did not answer any questions.

Three respondents provided comments.

Summary of feedback
Two responses (50%) indicated that the amendments achieved the intended outcome.

One response did not provide any feedback.

Another response addressed airspace in the Sydney basin and recommended a broader redesign. This matter falls outside the scope of the consultation.

No feedback identified any issues that would warrant changes to the proposed MOS and CAO amendments.

One respondent provided a minor suggestion regarding the GM wording. CASA will consider this suggestion.

CASA will implement the amendments to the Part 91, 131, 133 and 135 MOS and CAO 95.4, 95.10, 95.12, 95.12.1, 95.32 and 95.55 on 9 July 2026, to coincide with the implementation of the associated airspace.

CASA will also implement updates to the Part 91 AMC/GM for regulation 91.240 of CASR, relating to flight notification requirements, while considering the additional suggested improvement as above.

CASA thanks the respondents for their feedback.